The Coldwell Complex has its origins in the
Midcontinent Rift System about 1,100 million years ago. It is an exposed
magma chamber that formed beneath the surface causing surface swelling to occur. This swelling turned into an active volcano, erupting
basaltic
magma. 600 million years ago, the volcano walls became so large and heavy, they caved in on the volcano, acting as a cap. The magma then became trapped in the magma chamber where it settled and cooled with other minerals causing the initial phases of the complex. Glacial erosion stripped away the top layers of the volcano. Today, the once-hot magma chamber is exposed to surface rock on the northern shore of
Lake Superior. ==See also==